Driving risks of young drivers with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: association with the dopamine transporter gene VNTR polymorphism

Tokko, Tõnis; Eensoo, Diva; Miškinyte, Grete; Harro, Jaanus

Driving risks of young drivers with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: association with the dopamine transporter gene VNTR polymorphism

dc.contributor.author	Tokko, Tõnis
dc.contributor.author	Eensoo, Diva
dc.contributor.author	Miškinyte, Grete
dc.contributor.author	Harro, Jaanus
dc.date.accessioned	2023-04-25T07:10:52Z
dc.date.available	2023-04-25T07:10:52Z
dc.date.issued	2022
dc.description.abstract	Background: Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death for young adults, and young drivers with higher expression of symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could pose an even greater risk in traffic. Dopaminergic dysfunction has been found to occur in ADHD, with the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene VNTR polymorphism (DAT1 VNTR; rs28363170) being one of the most consistent genetic markers. Thus, we aimed at clarifying how the ADHD symptoms and the DAT1 VNTR relate to risk-taking behaviour in traffic, impulsivity and driving anger in young drivers. Method: We used data of two traffic behaviour study samples (n = 741, mean age = 23.3±7.2 years; n = 995, mean age = 22.9±8.1 years) and the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS; traffic behaviour data n = 1016, mean age = 25.2±2.1 years). ADHD symptoms were assessed by self-report with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) and impulsivity with the Adaptive and Maladaptive Impulsivity Scale. Traffic behavioural measures were either self-reported (Driver Behaviour Questionnaire, Driving Anger Scale) or obtained from databases (registered accidents and violations). Results: Drivers with more self-reported ADHD symptoms also reported more risk-taking in traffic and had more of recorded traffic accidents and violations. DAT1 9R carriers had a higher probability of high traffic risk behaviour only if they also had ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: Higher level of ADHD symptoms is a significant risk factor in traffic, and carrying of the DAT1 9R allele appears to aggravate these risks.	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2022.2032330
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10062/89696
dc.language.iso	eng	et
dc.relation	info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/728018///Eat2beNICE	et
dc.relation.ispartofseries	Nordic Journal of Psychiatry;
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess	et
dc.rights	Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International	*
dc.rights.uri	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/	*
dc.subject	ADHD	et
dc.subject	DAT1 VNTR	et
dc.subject	traffic behaviour	et
dc.subject	impulsivity	et
dc.title	Driving risks of young drivers with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: association with the dopamine transporter gene VNTR polymorphism	et
dc.type	info:eu-repo/semantics/article	et